Roadside Assistance Options and Value

Roadside Assistance Options

Are Roadside Assistance Memberships the Only Option?

What are the options for Roadside Assistance and are memberships worth it are regular questions. Car are complicated machines, and contain thousands of parts required to operate properly. Since any of these components can fail without notice, roadside assistance is a necessary choice for vehicle owners everywhere. Any car can break down when you least expect it, and you don’t want to be left on your own when this happens.

Over 90% of cars on Australian roads are more than two years old, and 25% are more than 10 years old. Especially with an older car, a breakdown can occur anywhere, but even new cars can fail, so roadside assistance by membership-based or ad hoc service providers gives you that peace of mind knowing you are covered for any emergency.

These days, roadside assistance plans come in many different shapes and sizes, to suit all types of drivers.

The two main categories are:

Membership-Based coverage or ad hoc Pay-As-You-Need services.

Historically, the membership-based plan has been the most common thought of service in Australia and around the world. It is not the only option available. Are these membership plans really good value? There are many other options available that may suit you, and your hip pocket, a lot better. We explore these here.

What is Roadside Assistance?

Roadside assistance is a service designed to help drivers when a vehicle breaks down or suffers some sort of failure that leaves the motorist stranded. A service professional can make adjustments and repairs to get you on the road again and make the vehicle safe. There is an infinite number of things that can go wrong with a vehicle, making assistance like this invaluable when you need it.

Reasons to Choose Roadside Assistance

Most drivers agree that regular vehicle servicing is an important preventative measure for efficiency and reliability. However, in Australia, 80% did not carry this out at the recommended service intervals, and half of all drivers delayed servicing due to personal budget constraints.

If you are one of these motorists, then it will definitely pay to have assistance on hand when you need it, either membership-based or Pay-As-You-Need.

Distance of your commute. Think about where you usually drive on a daily basis. Is your commute a long one or does it take you out of a metropolitan area? If you make trips or weekends away to unfamiliar places out of the metro area, it would be a good idea to have a professional on hand when you need help. Remember that flat tyres and dead batteries can happen anywhere, so even close to home you never know when you might need assistance.

Weather conditions. If you need to drive in inclement or dangerous weather, being stranded on the side of the road is not a lot of fun. It pays to have someone you can rely on for help when you really need it.

Age of your vehicle. If you have a new vehicle it may be covered under a manufacturer’s assistance program. These will run for a certain time or mileage, whichever comes first. Even new cars can breakdown or have a flat battery, so if you are not covered, or drive an older car, roadside assistance could be a good investment.

Maintenance history. If you have a second-hand car and don’t know it’s full service history, or if it has a history of maintenance problems, you are at greater risk of something mechanical going wrong. Roadside assistance would be a good insurance policy for you just in case.

If you are not mechanically minded. If you don’t know how to change a tyre, jump start a battery or just plain forget to fill up and maintain your car, roadside assistance is definitely a must for you.

Convenience. A roadside assistance program or mobile Pay-As-You-Need provider gives you peace of mind. Especially after hours, or if you’re stranded on a dark road in the wet, you just want help quickly.

Membership-Based Plans Vs Pay-As-You-Need

So, while some form of roadside assistance is definitely worthwhile, what do you get with a typical membership-based plan? Research shows that Australians only require roadside about once every three years, and towing only once in 10 years, yet we spend at least $100 per year on membership fees. Let’s understand what Membership-Based Plans usually mean. There are many bundled services for membership plans with the basic premise that they will attend your vehicle and may be able to fix simple things. If not or the matter is more complicated or parts are needed then a tow will normally be arranged.

So What’s Included in Your Membership Plan?

We need to understand what may be including to determine the value to motorist. The following is based on current information from various membership-based providers across Australia.

Membership offerings vary from full-service automobile clubs like the NRMA and the RAC through to simple reimbursements for a tow under some vehicle insurance policies. The larger full-service companies also offer additional extras with membership, including entertainment discounts and movie ticket vouchers, holiday planning, parking discounts, savings at retail outlets and car rental.

The Classic Care plan of the NRMA (NSW and the ACT) is their basic plan, and for $165 per year they provide roadside assistance including battery service, flat tyres, emergency fuel, help with keys locked in the car and 20km towing in a metro area. For $383 per year they also add 50km metro towing (100km in the country), caravan and trailer assistance, taxi after towing, pet assistance and breakdown assistance cover.

On the other side of the country, the RAC in WA offer basic cover for $106 per year which provides roadside assistance and 10km towing. Their top cover is $305 and adds 200km towing, taxi up to $100, locksmith to $200, trailer/caravan towing up to $50 fuel per year and vehicle recovery.

In South Australia, the RAA covers up to 5 night’s accommodation if you are more than 100kms form home in their Premium cover for $192 a year. The RACT in Tasmania also offers bicycle assistance and medical assistance if you are more than 50km from home in their $179 Ultimate cover package. While in the NT, the AANT will provide passenger transport up to $550 after vehicle recovery. In Victoria, the RACV includes scooter and wheelchair assistance in their $225 per annum top cover package.

Some clubs also offer cut price membership for younger drivers and students, and may cover additional drivers of a vehicle at additional cost.

If you’re not a member and want to use their services, these larger clubs will typically make you join to be able to access their services, and they will charge extra if you want to use them within 24-48 hours after joining.

So that simple flat battery may cost you as much as $200-$400 to get fixed, plus the cost of the battery and fitting when it arrives!

Typical Basic Roadside Assistance Services

Towing service. If roadside assistance can’t make the vehicle drivable again. Depending on your provider and level of cover, your vehicle will typically be towed to a mechanic/service centre, up to a limited number of kilometres away. If you need to be towed further than that it will cost extra.

Battery jump-start service. This will usually start a flat battery, but you may find you need a new battery instead. These can usually be provided by the roadside assistance provider at a cost and also an additional cost for fitting. If you own an electric car be very careful, as they operate quite differently to other vehicles, and it may be difficult to find a qualified service provider. Hybrid vehicles typically use their electric motor battery to start the petrol engine, so they would be unlikely to need jump-starting.

Flat tyres. A service professional will replace your flat with your spare in your vehicle. Most companies don’t typically cover flat tyres for motorcycles or other two or three-wheel vehicles.

Lockout service. For when you lock your keys in the car or can’t get in for some other reason. When a roadside assistance professional opens the vehicle, it is called a lockout service, which is usually covered under most plans. If they can’t get in however, a locksmith will need to be called, and some programs cover this cost while others will not.

Fuel service. For when you simply run out of fuel. The amount they will give you depends on your level of cover, but it will typically be enough to get you to the nearest service station.

Many larger companies will have their own service staff and assistance staff, but others will partner with existing businesses that provide roadside assistance service, or employ staff to arrange service on their customer’s behalf.

Which provider is sent to help you depends on their location and circumstances. So who you actually get to see may not be employed directly by the company. This can sometimes be a problem if that company is particularly busy, or doesn’t operate in some weather conditions when you really need them. Check the details in your cover paperwork so you know what to expect in all eventualities.

Choosing the Right Roadside Assistance Cover for You

1. Do your research

Check the website for the business first – often they will have their own page for customer reviews. Try not to give too much weight to individual reviews, but look for overall impressions about the business. Individual customers may have had what they thought was a bad experience for any number of reasons that may have been out of the company’s control.

Dedicated review sites can make your search much simpler. Remember that even a highly rated business might disappoint on a bad day or customers have a bad day, but at least these sites can help weed out those businesses that obviously are not looking after their customers.

Ask around among your colleagues, family and friends. They all have cars that require service, so see where they have had good experiences. People are very unlikely to recommend you to a business who has treated them badly, so this may narrow your search down quickly.

2. Decide what you really need

There are many types of plans available from many different companies. Make sure you choose one that suits your circumstances. Be sure that you aren’t paying extra for services that you may never need.

3. Find out whether you already have coverage

If your car is still covered by the manufacturer’s warranty, you may be eligible for roadside assistance at no cost. Check your credit cards, as some companies like American Express provide roadside assistance to cardholders. Your insurance company may also provide some level of assistance in your cover, as do some telecommunications providers.

4. Review the basic services available

Service providers will have different levels of cover available at different costs. Look to see what you will get with their most simple cover first. This will usually cover all the basic services you may need.

The company’s websites often have comparison charts so you can compare between the different levels of cover easily. Make sure you read their fine print and look at their frequently asked questions sections that may tell you what you need to know.

Here are some basic things to look for:

Limits on service. You may only be covered for a certain number of service calls per year, and after that you may not be covered, or it might cost you extra. Some plans may not let you claim more than once in any given week. Be sure to read the fine print, as some services like towing may not be available if they are a consequence of natural events like flooding or fire.

Cost. Some plans will bill annually, while others have a monthly subscription, or cost per call out. For new members, there may be incentive discounts to join, but if you’re a new customer, try to avoid long-term commitment until you are happy with their service.

Service availability. Make sure the plan you join has service agents in the areas where you’re likely to travel. Some companies will cover you within their state, while others will cover you when interstate, or reimburse costs you may incur when out of their usual coverage area. Plans offered by some mobile phone providers won’t cover you if you don’t have your phone with you. Sometimes there may be places that no plan can help you, so make sure you know of any exclusion areas that may apply.

Vehicle eligibility. Typically, passenger vehicles will be covered, but some companies may offer coverage for off-road vehicles, trailers and caravans. Depending on your provider and level of cover, you as a driver may be covered in any vehicle, or it may be that only your vehicle is covered. Some let you nominate other drivers for your vehicle at additional cost.

Using your insurance company’s towing or roadside assistance too often may affect your insurance premiums or your eligibility for insurance cover. Some insurance companies consider calls for roadside assistance to be a negative, and may treat it like an accident claim, so it may in fact work against you.

You May Not Need a Full-Service Operator

1. Unused Services

While those discounts and movie tickets provided with your top range cover might be nice, how often do you really use them? They can usually be bettered by online travel sites, coupon codes or other promotions that can be found easily with an internet search. So the additional cost you are paying for these ‘free’ inclusions may be waste of money.

Free maps and travel services are almost redundant in this digital age of GPS and Google Maps, and travel guides and booking services are at your fingertips for no extra cost.

2. Overlapping Services

Remember that your credit card, insurance or mobile phone provider may already have you covered, usually for much less than the annual membership cost of the larger providers.

3. Only Renew When You Need It

Why should you be paying an annual membership fee just in case you need a towing service? Given that most of us will only need this service once every ten years you could be paying up to $3000 for it when it happens! If you did ever need a tow, it would be much cheaper to pay for it yourself. The other option may be to renew your membership on the spot to access their towing service. There will be a premium because you want their service straight away, but the total cost will probably be close to the cost of a tow anyway.

The Pay-As-You-Need Option

Pay-As-You-Need services usually cover most roadside assistance services provided by the membership-based, however may not operate on a 24/7 basis. The PAYN service usually go much further and cover mechanic and auto electrical repairs and servicing. These PAYN providers are more akin to a workshop in a van that operates may operate on extended hours but just not 24 hours. The benefits include having repairs able to be the work able to be actually done on site rather than a quick inspect and referral off to a tow. Also if you break down you can pay for the work that your car actually needs and may also be able to do other work such as servicing at the same time.

Conclusion – Roadside Assistance Options

The most common breakdowns are caused by flat tyres, lockouts, dead batteries and running out of fuel. These are problems that can be dealt with without needing a full-service membership with all the bells and whistles. While these products may suit some people, the vast majority will be well served using a Pay-As-You-Need independent supplier of these services.

These operators will be able to get you on the road again and help with most major issues such as:

Urgent roadside repairs

Engine problems

Starting issues

Battery troubles

Overheating

Mechanical glitches

Electrical issues

Charging problems.

These services are provided on a payment for service basis. So you don’t need to be stuck paying annual fees each year for things you don’t need.

Called Ace Mechanics up after looking online for a new service provider and saw the great reviews, so i had to check them out. Staff were very helpful and informative on prices over the phone and were able to get a driver to me in less than 24 hours.A mechanic named Greg came out and smashed out a whole log book service in just 3 hours, including ordering and fitting new brake pads during the process. He explained everything in detail and gave his personal opinion on what needs work and what doesn't, unlike other mechanics that may do work that is not necessary for the extra cash. Greg also beat the quoted price!Would definitely recommend, as ill be sure to use them again!

My experience with ACR mobile mechanics has been outstanding. The lady on the phone was very pleasant and welcoming .Mark arrived on time,identified the problem quickly by replacing the old battery with new one.He fixed the fuse box by ordering a new fuse and then everything made fine . Quick, hassle-free and done at a very reasonable price. Mark proved to be true professionals and ACE service has been great.Good luck Mark .you are the best.

What a fantastic service!! Cannot thank the mechanic, Steve, enough for his work. I went through RACV to help fix the problem with my car, when it wouldn't start one morning, and after they inspected it, we were told that they needed to send out a mechanic. Later that day, ACE mechanics sent out Steve and he very quickly knew that my petrol pump had gone, and it needed replacing. He did, however, need to order a particular kind of pump, as he did not have one with him. Steve ordered the part that day and was back the following morning to install the new pump, and the car was up and running, and I have had no problems since. I had not heard of this company before, but I am extremely happy with the service provided and would definitely recommend. Thanks again Steve, great work!

I had Ace Mechanics for 2 different issues in the past week, excellent and fast service, friendly and helpful staff on the phone, Steve who fixed my brakes and Pali who fixed the indicators were both professional, polite and explained everything they were doing. I have no hesitation in recommending Ace Mechanics.

Thank you Tod for your friendly and professional service you took all the worry away. Having my alternator replaced was expensive but necessary and Tod made it fairly pain free. I would highly recommend Ace mechanics and Tod to anyone. .cheers

What a great way to start my Melbourne holiday. Had to be towed from under the freeway on Montague St. Not knowing the area was a problem and not knowing a decent mechanic or auto electrician was another. A quick call to ACE and they had me booked in for a diagnosis and a fix. It wasn't the alternator or the fuses but a faulty battery. Sometimes it pays to pay a little more to have someone come to you. Especially if it would otherwise involve a tow to a garage in an unfamiliar area. Within half an hour my car was starting reliably. Thanks John! And they are available 7 days a week. Bonus.

We've used Ace Mechanics for more than 10yrs. Never had any problems with their mechanics or their work. Always on time, very courteous and extremely knowledgeable. They tell you exactly what is wrong with your vehicle and an approx. cost. More than reliable and well worth "giving them a go", you won't regret it.

Great service right from the very start. Received return phone call as promised and John arrived ahead of estimated time.Was quickly able to sort out the electyrical problem and was all done in less than 30 minutes.Glad to reccommend to anyone contemplating using Ace Mechanics.

We’ve dealt with George from Ace Mechanics a few times to service our CRV. He is very knowledgeable with Honda vehicles, quickly diagnoses any issues, and provides accurate quotes up front before performing any work. George keeps us regularly updated with the progress of his work, which he always completes promptly. We are very happy using Ace Mechanics and will continue to use them in future to service our vehicle.

I asked for a vehicle inspection on a car my mother wanted to buy. Ace Mechanics organised an inspection for the next day. The mechanic, Norm gave the car a very thorough inspection, texted me a photo of the written report straight away and rang me to talk me through the issues he had identified. He also went through the issues with the sellers so that by the time I rang them they were already getting them fixed. He was so helpful and friendly, and explain everything so clearly, that my mother can now buy the car with confidence. Everyone that I have dealt with at Ace Mechanics has been friendly, helpful and efficient. I highly recommend them.

Good Morning I had Greg come to my home and service my Jayco Van this is my first time with ACE and found this service very good .The working area in my drive was very tight however Greg carried out the work needed.Thanks Again Colin

Had the pleasure of meeting Norm today, who was very friendly and knowledgeable. We were not sure why the car wasn’t starting – which is why we called ACE Mechanics. It was also great they could come to us, even on the weekend. Norm arrived on time and worked out the issues quickly and fixed it for me on the spot! I’m one very happy customer - THX

Let me paint you a picture. It’s two days before Christmas we lost power steering air con and have a family trip to blue mountains (which of course we were driving 10 hours for) Now everyone I speak to is closed can’t get a mechanic in until I speak to ACE Mobile mechanics. In walks the saviour of our family holidays MICHEAL. He arrived Christmas Eve an hour EARLIER then expected I told him the situation and he knew straight away what the problem was and set about sourcing the part. Unfortunately it was not going to happen Christmas Eve ( which happened to also be a Sunday) but Micheal being the professional he is found a solution that ensured we didn’t have to cancel the holiday. He came back out on the 27th ( when part was available) and worked with speed and efficiency to get us on the road on our to our holiday. I can not recommend Ace Mechanics high enough. In particular Micheal was professional polite and dedicated enough to put in the extra effort to help me his customer.

My car needed a radiator replacement , luckily called Ace mechanics. George was the mechanic who came on time and managed to solve the problem quite convincingly and was very friendly as well. Highly recommended.

You came to my aid at short notice and just before Christmas. You got me up and running much faster than I had expected. Norman is a great mechanic. He was punctual, efficient and very pleasant to deal with. Thanks! I'll be using your services again.

Our alternator died on new years eve! Our mechanic's away on holidays.Tod came. Very efficient polite and friendly even when he had to go back to base to get a different model of the part. Fixed our problem at a reasonable cost too (cheaper than another quote from well-known service) I was wary about using a mobile service but now have no hesitation using ACE again

My Honda CRV starter motor went just before Xmas. No local mechanics were willing to fix it as the had broken up for Xmas.Luckily I found Ace Mechanics on the Internet. Their service was brilliant and Michael the mechanic did a great job at a very competive price. So grateful I had a car to use over Xmas break. Very professional outfit.

Ace mechanics are the bomb. George never fails to get the job done. He is a true ace mechanic. Replaced my starter motor, battery and serviced my Honda, all in my home garage. Can’t recommend him highly enough.

Steve from ACE mechanics was amazing - fixed our issue in great time, great price, great service and looked after us really well. Being 2,000kms from home and not being able to drive anywhere- to fixing our car, improving our performance by a genuine bloke was impressive.Would recommend Steve to anyone!!!

Just had Micheal out to fix starting issue with my Toyota Camry hes fantastic efficient and quick. He dosnt bull....t me always on time. Never does work that is not needed. Im always full informed on what is to be done and what the cost will be. Highly recommend him!!

Had George come work on my car today. He was on time, well presented and extremely thorough. Honestly the best customer service from a mechanic I have had to date. Ran through absolutely everything he did with me and made it easy to understand. Thanks again George!

Very happy with the service I received from Ace Mechanics, George was my mechanic and was very knowledgeable and thorough in his work. I appreciated his honesty with the repairs and trusted his opinion. He was very professional and efficient and did a good job with my old car! Thank you!

I had problem in my car I called ACE mechanics. The mechanic who came to fix my car was so good, he found the problem within about 20min and replace Alternator in my car. It was a good hard job, but Steven the mechanic did it as quickly as he could. he was very friendly too.

Its our second time using Ace Mechanics and again without hesitation they arrived quickly to complete the Job. Their Service is number one, we will be using Ace Mechanics in the future.Again, Thankyou.

We have used ace mechanics 3 times now. Michael is always knowledgeable, helpful and punctual. We had our car and caravan serviced and would definitely recommend Michael and Ace mechanics, thank you !!

I had loaned my car to a friend and it had come back with no brake pads! Like two stones grinding... It was horrible. Ace were quick to the mark arriving on the same day as I called. Paul was wonderful to deal with - along with fixing the break pads he pointed out a few other issues that I should look into in the future, which I kind of already knew about, but was hoping he wouldn't notice. HA! It was great to have that confirmation from him tho. I have used Ace 3 times now and have always been pleased with the end result! Thanks Again!

Fantastic service from Paul from ACE today. Great customer service and explained the problem in simple language without being condescending. Also gave me symptoms to look out for future complications that may arise.Would recommend to friends and family at this stage! Matilda was also great calling to politely ask if he could come earlier! All round excellent service. Thanks guys!

Had issues with my brake/tail lights on my CRV and know the bulbs are weird, enquired online with ACE on Saturday morning, and within a few hours Paul arrived and had fit new tail lights. Probably a bit more pricey than i would have paid to take it to a mechanic. But a few extra dollars is worth the piece of mind of not having to drive a car with no brake lights. Rachel who contacted me to organise was also super cheerful. Thanks ACE!

I am fed up with different mechanics I have tried before. My car cranks but would not start. All the previous mechanics did some makeover and made the car start for a day or two and it stops working the other day. They didn't find the actual problem. Then I rang to ACE mechanics and Greg was appointed for me. Greg is an awesome car doctor, he inspected the car for like 15 mins and find the actual problem. Moreover, they gave me a discount on the price quoted. Thanks to Greg and ACE mechanics. I would recommend Greg to any of my friends happily.

We had Michael come out and service our Nissan. He was awesome. On time, very knowledge and kept me informed the whole time. He is now the only mechanic I'll use. We also recently had major problems with our other car and Michael came out straight away and sorted everything out for me. Their service is fantastic and I highly recommend Michael and Ace Mechanics.

After finding my car wouldn’t start on Tuesday I called ACE and within 30 mins Paul arrived and resolved my issue. I had him back the next day for a full service. Will certainly be recommending your service to friends and family!

We had an electrical problem and had Michael attend. He was here within the hour. Was friendly helpful and efficient and fixed the problem. 11/10 for his service. Would recommend your company withou hesitation. Thanks to Rachael also and Michael.

I was happy with the job by the mechanic. He was friendly and helpful as he came to my location on a Saturday morning, diagnosed the problem with the alternator which RACV battery replacement missed, then drove to another suburb to pick up the part my car needed and installed in time for the journey I had to make that day. The price was maybe slightly higher than I had been hoping to pay but then again understandable given the messing around to source the part.

Great Service! When our work van broke down recently George was able to locate the problem and fix it quickly to get us back on the road. Ace Mechanics understood the importance of needing the van for our livelihood and really did a quality job and fast! Highly recommend.

To Whom it may concern,I have just finished having various repairs and service done on my car. The mechanic, named George, was very helpful and has made it possible for me to get back on the road.Yours Sincerely,Patricia Evans

Dealt with Michael with my pride and joy ride and he was so careful with it and made sure he did not scratch it or leave finger prints. Fixed my water leak issue and has a can do attitude no matter what the car throws at him. I'll be going back to get more stuff done and I'll be getting him to come over also to work on other cars

Wife cars would not start, no power, I rang Home Tune and they sent out a mechanic and had the problem fixed in a flash. Paul, the mechanic was extremely polite and I will certainly use then in for any future issues. I have no hesitations in recommending Home Tune to all my friends. Great job guys

Great friendly and efficient service, Michael arrived in the time frame advised, I also received a call to say he was on his way!Michael worked out the issues very quickly and got my car back on the road in no time !

I was had way through replacing the alternator on the car when I realized I was in over my head. A quick call to their friendly staff and Norm was at my house within 30 minutes. What’s super bloke he is. He didn’t mind finishing off the job that I clearly couldn’t complete. He was super positive about everything and clearly knew what he was doing. I’d certainly recommend them to anyone. Including people who think they can work on cars still....like me.

Very happy with ACE Mechanics.on time, very honest and friendly which is hard to find these daysPrices quote were very fair. At the end, I was happy with the cost. Great Service from George, very honest and explains everything.I will call again. Thanks

I contacted Ace Mechanics via their website, they rang me back straight away and arranged a time and day. On the day we booked I got a phonecall to say that the mechanic was on his way and George turned up right when he said he would. My Subaru Forester needed a replacement part but after calling around to three Subaru dealers George was having no luck getting them to respond with price or availability. Rather than stand around waiting for return phonecalls George went to the dealership himself and rang me once he knew the price to make sure I wanted to go ahead. Once I gave the go ahead the car was fixed within the hour. George was friendly and helpful and kept me informed about what was happening every step of the way.

My car was sitting at my garage and could't start, so I started ringing several mobile mechanics. Ace Mechanics gave me the most reasonable quotes so I booked on the phone straight away. I wasn't really comfortable at the beginning because this was the first time I used mobile repair service. But the mechanic, Steve, was very professional and polite. He explained to me what went wrong, and my car was back running in no time. Very happy with the service! Cheers - Wanda

There are still good mechanics out there!I've had the pleasure to have Norm service my car, amazing guy with years and years of experience, he did a major service on my car in a couple of hours. Great quality work from Norm and the best part was that he made sure I was happy with everything. Thanks heaps to the staff at Ace Mechanics specially Norm, I'll be booking my next service with him.

I had my car brought back to life after sitting for 18 months by George and he cared about me the customer and worked quickly, was vey professional with his advice and work method. I would recommend AceMechanicsAustralia for their on site car repairs. Sonja Meeng.

I arranged a pre-purchase vehicle inspection through Ace Mechanics. An appointment was made for the following morning and Tod turned up on time and with a great attitude. He conducted a very thorough inspection of the van I was hoping to purchase, alerting me to signs of previous accident damage, road worthiness issues and major engine problems. Tod's advice played a major role in helping me avoid purchasing a real lemon. Money well spent in my view.

We called up Sunday afternoon for mechanic to come look at our car, happily got scheduled for first thing Monday morning. Unfortunately the mechanic was running late by more than 15 minutes, so needed to reschedule for the following morning. The mechanic (Greg) was absolutely amazing however and diagnoised, procured the parts and fixed up our car in a jiffy. Would highly recommend to anyone who needs a call out (just leave a bit of wriggle time).

Called Ace Mechanics on Tuesday afternoon after finding the engine fan on my car wouldn't turn off. Pali and Steve arrived promptly the next morning to take a look at the issue. We have dealt with Pali before and really appreciate his friendly, honest nature. Steve was very nice too. Car is back on the road and I couldn't be happier with the work done on the car. Pali and Steve identified two issues with the car - they explained everything that needed to be done and got on with the job. Highly recommended. Thanks Ace Mechanics!

My car was stranded at work. I was concerned with how much the repair would cost and wasn't looking forward to spending the next week or two riding the bus to and from work. The team at Ace mechanics sent out a technician to assess and quote for the repair. The cost was much less than I had anticipated and the work was done on the same day, getting me back on the road by the time my shift had finished. The service was prompt and impeccable. Will be using their services again for my next service.

I was visited by George to work on my vehicle. He was very thorough and knowledgeable, and offered pleasant and friendly advice in a nonjudgemental manner. He was very friendly and a delight to deal with, and I would highly recommend his services.

We were stranded in Melbourne late on a Saturday and needed a new radiator. With two small, bored children in the car we were really worried about how we were going to manage. Ace Mechanics were sympathetic, quick and sent an experienced, capable mechanic to us as fast as possible (and that was amazingly fast given the time and requirement for a radiator). Our mechanic (Norm) was brilliant, he quickly and efficiently changed the radiator, was friendly and helpful and talked us through everything he was doing. We chose Ace because they started with A and were open and available on a Saturday - if we ever have another issue with our car we will be calling Ace because they are excellent and we highly recommend them.

Very happy with ACE Mechanics. This is the second time I use them for a service (both times George was the mechanic they sent me). Very efficient, and honest. Last time the service was pricey because he had to do many things, but it was all legit (most were things that Ford had told me to do the previous year but I didn't do because they were crazy expensive with them). I haven't had the slightest issue with my car since then so I chose him again for today's service.

Yesterday I had what every motorist dreads, car would not start. I knew it was not my battery and I could not get my car to a mechanic and needed it fixed ASAP. I Called another mechanic first and was quoted a ridiculous price. Called ace mechanics and they were fantastic and sent a guy out within an hour or so, even on a Public holiday. The guy that came out was fantastic. He explained everything honestly. More than happy with his work and will be using them again in the future

I have had many mechanics over the years, I was referred to ace through a family member as I have never been happy with my previous services nor have I ever understood the whole "car scene" and what happens under the hood. Since going through Ace mechanics I have never been so happy about servicing my car. They are so helpful and professional. Never a job to large or small. Ace mechanics have helped me out on so many occasions. From being stuck on the side of the road to my minor and major services. Not only are they really explanatory in making me understand what is being done to my car but they are always on time and the best part is they come to you! Also the Price is more then reasonable. I recently had Stephen come out and do a major service on my car that was in dire need of some TLC. He was very friendly and extremely informative. Price was fantastic (which due to financial problems I was very worried about) I have no issues recommending ace mechanics to any friend, family member or anyone. You will not be disappointed. Thanks again Stephen

As a customer of Ace for years now Myself and my Daughter had not had a service on our cars for 3 years due to financial reasons and decided to give our cars a "birthday" Called Ace Mechanics and they were able to do both our cars on the same day at our house. Steve arrived on time and was very friendly informing us of the work that needed to be done he was fantastic.and efficient and had both our cars finished by lunchtime. I have always been very happy with ACE and the services very professional and the cost very affordable Thank you ACE and Steve for your excellent service Hi 5

My husband and I were purchasing a car from a private seller, however I didn't feel comfortable purchasing the car without an inspection. We booked Ace Mechanics 2 weeks in advance. I have never felt so assured and taken care of. Their service is outstanding. I had communication weekly to make sure all was booked in and going ahead. I would highly recommend Ace Mechanics to all my family and friends. We ended up purchasing the car from the seller. They were happy to answer all our question. AMAZING COMPANY!

I needed to get my new car serviced for the first time (1 year service) and I called the dealer and asked what the service included that warranted a cost of $749 and he could not tell me which was very puzzling? He ended up sending me a photo of a service sheet from another car and I thought this seemed very unprofessional for a well know car company.I asked some friends what they thought and they suggested I use Ace Mobile Mechanics as they can service your car at your work place. I thought this would void the warranty but I did some research and discovered that it does not, even though the dealers would have you think so.Anyway, I called ACE, they came to my work place two days later, did the service all while I was at work, no need to take time off to go to the dealer!Michael the mechanic really new his stuff and explained everything to me. Wish I had of know about this service years ago. Thanks ACE!

Had my car serviced & the mechanic was polite, professional & did a fantastic job. I was not only happy with the great service he gave my car but as an unexpected bonus, he was able to replace my wiper pump that hasn't worked for nearly 5yrs!! Other mechanics just told me the part was too hard to get as it would take 9weeks to be shipped out... I highly recommend ACE Mechanics :)

Excellent service completed by Michael. Bang on time! How can you beat a great priced, no non-sense service in your driveway? You cant!! Ill be using Michael at Ace Mechanics again.

Gaetano Tata

01:38 27 Jan 18

Great Service right from the first phone call. Was told mechanic would arrive between 12 and 2pm and that I would receive a call when on his way.Got the call as promised and John actually arrived half an hour early. Checked problem and was able to rectify within the first half hour.Also gave me some tips on how to prevent happening again.Great job and all on a long weekend.read more

Shane Clark

02:08 18 Jan 18

Wonderful service by George from Ace mechanics. Explained everything really well, explained how things worked and what the issues were very clearly. Kept me well informed as he went through things. Will definitely be getting Ace mechanics again.read more

Sherry Gaffiero

07:07 13 Jan 18

Had the pleasure of meeting Norm today, who was very friendly and knowledgeable. We were not sure why the car wasn’t starting – which is why we called ACE Mechanics. It was also great they could come to us, even on the weekend. Norm arrived on time and worked out the issues quickly and fixed it for me on the spot! I’m one very happy customer - THXread more

Frank Carlus

09:22 03 Jan 18

Came to my aid at short notice and got me up and running much faster than I had expected. Norman is a great mechanic. He was punctual, efficient and very pleasant to deal with. Thanks! I'll be using your services again.read more

Joanna Davis

02:27 02 Jan 18

My Honda CR-v starter motor went just before Xmas. My local mechanic said he was on holidays until 4th of January and couldn't help me. By chance I found Ace Mobile Mechanics on Google. The customer service was great and they were there that day. The price was similar to that I was quoted locally and they came to me. Very grateful as I would have had no car over the holidays. Highly recommend them!read more

Tjanara Williams

00:43 30 Dec 17

Steve from ACE mechanics was amazing - fixed our issue in great time, great price, great service and looked after us really well. Being 2,000kms from home and not being able to drive anywhere- to fixing our car, improving our performance by a genuine bloke was impressive.Would recommend Steve to anyone!!!read more

Rowan Mickan

03:36 23 Dec 17

George from ace came out today to do some work on my car. He was on time, clean, well presented and fantastically well spoken. He was extremely thorough and cannot recommend him enough!

Alexandra Ho

02:19 01 Dec 17

Efficient and what I needed - Greg came to my workplace even though it was Saturday within an hour of me ringing. He diagnosed the problem and found the parts required. By the end of my shift the car was ready to go. Definitely worth it for convenience as otherwise I would have been stranded!read more

Bianca Milani

00:40 28 Nov 17

Ace are quick, reliable , and above all friendly! I have used them a few times now and the outcome has always been great. Their prices are very competitive compared to other mobile mechanics. Can highly recommend.read more

manda rin

00:28 27 Nov 17

Fantastic service from Paul from ACE today. Great customer service and explained the problem in simple language without being condescending. Also gave me symptoms to look out for future complications that may arise.Would recommend to friends and family at this stage! Matilda was also great calling to politely ask if he could come earlier! All round excellent service. Thanks guys!read more

Karthik Reddy

02:22 23 Nov 17

I am fed up with different mechanics I have tried before. My car cranks but would not start. All the previous mechanics did some make over and made the car start for a day or two and it stops working the other day. They didn't find the actual problem. Then I rang to ACE mechanics and Greg was appointed for me. Greg is an awesome car doctor, he inspected the car for like 15 mins and find the actual problem. Moreover they gave me a discount over the price quoted. Thanks to Greg and ACE mechanics. I would recommend Greg to any of my friends happily.read more

Nick Saville

22:58 08 Nov 17

I was happy with the job by the mechanic. He was friendly and helpful as he came to my location on a Saturday morning, diagnosed the problem with the alternator which RACV battery replacement missed, then drove to another suburb to pick up the part my car needed and installed in in time for the journey I had to make that day. The price was maybe slightly higher than I had been hoping to pay but then again understandable given the messing around to source the part.read more

Jason

04:05 28 Oct 17

Dealt with Michael with my pride and joy ride and he was so careful with it and made sure he did not scratch it or leave finger prints. Fixed my water leak issue and has a can do attitude no matter what the car throws at him. I'll be going back to get more stuff done and I'll be getting him to come over also to work on other carsread more

Brodie Odermatt

11:18 18 Oct 17

Called Ace yesterday and they were super quick to get someone out to my address. We had George come over which he thought was just a minor service. Poor bugger was in the heat all day! Alternator was gone, and being the diligent mechanic that he is, kept finding problems that were all fixed on the day. I appreciate the time and hard work getting my car back on the road safely, will definitely recommend Ace to all friends/family/co-workers.read more

Craig Stephens

10:01 14 Oct 17

Had a little trouble with replacing the alternator on my car. Now I'm not a complete idiot with cars, but it seemed I'd gotten in over my head. I phoned them and spoke to their lovely staff who sent Norm over within 30 minutes. Norm's an absolute champion of a guy with a brilliant positive attitude, even when he had to finish the job that I couldn't. He is super friendly and knows his stuff! No mucking around and got the job done and checked over it all to make sure it was right. Was happy to leave me with all the simple stuff to finish off. A genuinely good guy and a very nice phone centre.read more

Naomi HH

21:28 03 Oct 17

An efficient and professional service. George was up front and honest and explained things well. Would recommend Ace and George!

Amy Gillett

20:39 03 Oct 17

My Subaru Forester had broken down so I contacted ACE mechanics via their website, they got back to me straight away. On the day of my appointment I got a phonecall to say the mechanic was on his way. After diagnosing the problem George rang around the Subaru dealerships for price and availability only to be put on hold or told to call back. Rather than standing around waiting for Subaru to call back George went to the Subaru dealership and rang me once he had a price to make sure I wanted to go ahead. An hour later my car was fixed. From the initial contact to my car being fixed everybody I dealt with at ACE mechanics was friendly and kept me informed, I was very happy with the service.read more

Argos Menacho

05:49 25 Sep 17

Very happy with ACE Mechanics. This is my first time i used them for a service. The service was efficient and not so pricey. George was on time always friendly efficient and very honest. He explained everything to me. I highly recommend Home Tune/Ace.read more

Kevin

05:10 18 Sep 17

George is always prompt, friendly and an excellent mechanic. He is helpful and professional and I will gladly ask for him again. I highly recommend Home Tune/Ace and I won't let anyone but George service my cars in the future.read more

Margaret Campbell

08:04 14 Sep 17

Called Ace Mechanics on Tuesday afternoon after finding my car engine fan wouldn't go off. Pali and Steve were at our house promptly on Wednesday morning and the car is running like a dream again. I couldn't be happier with the work done. Thanks Ace Mechanics!read more

Aydindril Studios

00:09 08 Sep 17

My car was stranded at my work. I was concerned with the cost and was was not looking forward to riding the bus the next week or so. Not only was their quote very reasonable, but the repairs were done that same day, getting my car back on the road by the end of my shift!! Spectacular service. Will be using this company again for my regular service!!read more

Keith Bridgart

05:03 04 Sep 17

Steve was my Mechanic, he was 30 mins early which was a bonus. plus he was thorough and gave me any relevant information I asked for. I will definitely use these guys again. The booking process was really good as well.read more

Keryn Lang

06:17 29 Aug 17

Fast, friendly and super efficient, we had Tod from ACE Mechanics looking after us. Had my car up and running in no time, all in the comfort of our own driveway! If you're after service with a smile, we recommend the mechanics of ACE mechanics for all your Mobile Mechanical needs 👍🏼👍🏼👍🏼read more

Luna Legacy

10:01 06 Aug 17

I had George complete a pre-purchase inspection report for me earlier today. He took the time before the inspection to go through the details with me. After the inspection he took the time to discuss all his findings line by line. He was insightful and thorough. Would recommend.read more

Diego de Uña

05:55 08 Jul 17

Very happy with ACE Mechanics. This is the second time I use them for a service (both times George was the mechanic they sent me). Very efficient, and honest. Last time the service was pricey because he had to do many things, but it was all legit (most were things that Ford had told me to do the previous year but I didn't do because they were crazy expensive with them). I haven't had the slightest issue with my car since then so I chose him again for today's service.read more

Saima Pyke

10:48 04 Jul 17

We were visiting Melbourne and our car broke down leaving us stranded with our two small children far from home. After being told by RACV that we needed a new radiator, we called ACE Mechanics who, on understanding our situation, found the part and sent someone to us amazingly quickly, particularly as it was late on a Saturday. Our mechanic Norm was lovely. He was knowledgeable and friendly and fixed the car faster than I would have thought possible. As he worked he talked my boyfriend through what he was doing, and how to check for problems in the future. He made sure the repair was quality work and that we would be safe for our return home. We chose ACE by chance this time, but if we were ever in a similar situation we would chose them over any other mechanic next time, and we highly recommend them to others. Thank you so much ACE Mechanics (and especially Norm) for making what was an awful situation, so much better.read more

caroline woolley

05:06 27 Jun 17

I was very happy with the service that was provided! Emmanuel was very polite and helpful, explained everything to me and although being a timely service (having to re-order parts and come back later that day) he was patient and made sure everything was done correctly and within reasonable time. Will use ACE again and will recommend to others.read more

Harsha De Silva

05:35 20 Jun 17

Great service with very knowledgeable mechanic, Ace were quick and responsive with them providing a mechanic to come down about 2 hours after I called which I thought was amazing. Carried out my minor service superbly and even gave me a few tips on how to maintain my car due to it being old which I think was an added bonus. Would reccomended ace to a friend for quick minor servicing.read more

hailey ross

09:24 01 Jun 17

I have been using Ace mechanics for years now. Minor, Major services and even being broken down on the side of the road they have helped me every time. Not only are they always friendly, helpful and informative they are also reasonably priced and always on time. Not once have i been disappointed by them. Highly recommended and such a professional business. Ace mechanics will always be my go to for services and any problems that arise. The best part is they come to you.read more

helen waterworth

06:30 17 May 17

The service I received from Ace Mechanics was outstanding. From the moment I called, I knew I was in good hands. The auto mechanic Mark was excellent, called as he could come earlier than expected. I can't rate them highly enough for their customer service and expertise in auto mechanicsread more

Emily Charm

23:06 16 May 17

The service was efficient, Norm was on time and has excellent customer service skills, explained everything to me, was honest and friendly and he was on time. I made an appointment at 8am and he was at the door at 8am. I will definitely use this service again. Reasonable price and great customer service. Thank you for it all, my car was up and running in under an hour and I was comfortable to know I will not have any further issues with my car. Super grateful. Thank you.read more

Kate Casey

07:28 12 May 17

I have to say I was impressed. The mechanic who came to my home was really experienced, friendly and took the time to explain everything to me. As a busy working Mum the convenience of having my car serviced at home was invaluable. I only give four stars not five because I didn't compare the cost with other providers - that said I found the cost fine.read more

Darcy

03:58 04 May 17

Car wouldn't start, wasn't an emergency or anything but these guys were out within the hour. George was quick to try a few different methods, tried to limit spending and was able to diagnose a tricky problem with the car mostly caused by my own neglect. Proffesional and friendly service. Price was reasonable considering they have to drive out to me and work on the roadside. Would definitely recommend and use next time car has issues.read more

Alistair Densley

04:16 19 Apr 17

Our family car recently broke down and we needed someone to fix it at home, as we couldn't drive it. We contacted ACE and could not have had a better experience - a mechanic came out the same day and quickly diagnosed what was wrong. The job turned out bigger than expected and he spent most of the day with us, sourcing and installing new parts and ensuring the car ran smoothly. The mechanic was extremely professional and very knowledgeable. We would highly recommend them to anyone and will definitely be using ACE again.read more

Linda Davidson

21:33 09 Mar 17

Having a newborn bubs at home, the convenience of having someone come to you was very appealing. I have used this service before so I knew they would be reliable. George who came to service my car was extremely polite and spent the time going over the issues with the car by actually showing me. Which I feel is fantastic, so that you can be well informed. He did not pressure me into anything extra only gave me the facts. My only issue was that the parts were fairly expensive. Understand they were genuine parts however in this day and age price is everything. If the cost for parts could come down, I would definitely use this service again.read more

Llewellyn Schubert

09:33 03 Mar 17

I'm quite happy with the car service I got from Ace Mechanics. I needed to get my car serviced and I don't know of any good mechanics, so I went online looking for a place with good reviews. Although I didn't need to have a mechanic that comes to me, I found lots of good reviews for Ace so I thought I'd give it a try. They were able to send someone very quickly, he arrived promptly, and was very friendly and did what I believe to be a good job. Overall I would say the service was probably a bit on the expensive side, about $1000 for major service including new platinum plugs, fuel injector clean and a transmission service (on a '06 Camry). Time will tell if this was money well spent as I was assured that very little will need doing at the next service. All in all you get what you pay for and I'm happy with the prompt and friendly service. As long as you're not looking for the cheapest option, I would recommend Ace to others. The convenience of having the service done at your own property is worth quite a bit too.read more